Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Terms of Service
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / ‘Kind of like carnies’: International balloon festival returns to High River, Alta.

Hot-air balloons soar over fields during the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival near High River, Alta., Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

‘Kind of like carnies’: International balloon festival returns to High River, Alta.

October 4, 2022 //  by The Canadian Press

Share this:

By Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press

The windswept prairie east of the Rocky Mountains seems an unlikely spot for a hot-air balloon festival, but the town of High River, Alta., recently celebrated the event’s 10th year.

More than 20 brightly coloured balloons — including a pink elephant, a black and yellow bee and the purple and yellow Eye of Ra, named after the Egyptian sun god — took advantage of a lull in the prevailing wind this week to get some up-in-the-air time to mark the opening of the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival.

“We get about 50 per cent of our flights off. Weather impacts us everywhere,” said event director Jamie Kinghorn, who is also a town councillor.

“This is our 10th. We started in 2013 partly because of the flood that happened. I’d been to a number of balloon events and thought this might lift the spirits of the folks in town.”

The town of 12,000 just south of Calgary gained an international profile in 2013 when flooding in parts of southern Alberta caused billions of dollars in damage.

READ MORE: See Alberta’s parks through an Indigenous lens

High River was one of the hardest-hit communities. Entire neighbourhoods were under water for weeks.

“I called in a bunch of friends from the balloon community and they knew what happened, so 20 of them came into High River and we put on a balloon festival that was actually amazing for the community,” Kinghorn said.

“That was sort of the first major thing toward recovery after the flood and we’ve been doing it every year since at the end of September.”

Kinghorn said the festival is a boon to local tourism and there’s not a hotel room to be had in town.

He had his first hot air balloon over the city of Calgary in 1988. A year later he was a balloon pilot.

There are 23 balloons participating this year, including some from the United States, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

READ MORE: Peggy’s Cove meets Central Alberta: Lighthouse stands tall on the shores of Sylvan Lake

Kinghorn said it’s a pretty small community.

“We tend to meet at various events. We tend to travel. We’re kind of like carnies to some extent,” he said with a laugh.

“We travel around to different cities to different balloon events.”

Alan Davidson, who has been involved in the sport since 1977, is one of the volunteers.

He said those who get involved tend to stick with it.

“The amazing thing is that there are still seven or eight of the people I was ballooning with in the ’70s and early ’80s who are still here at this event,” said Davidson. “They’ve been working with balloons for over 40 years.”

Kinghorn, who is the owner and pilot of the Eye of Ra, was the first balloon in the air Thursday morning after a Wednesday evening flight was cancelled due to the wind.

“My God am I glad we got this off,” he said as the flight came to an end.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Family activities, Places to Visit in Alberta, Things to do

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

The Tulalip Tribes in northwest Washington has opened a new 70,250-square-foot Tulalip Resort Casino expansion…

Tulalip casino expansion opens in WashingtonRead More

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

British Columbia hikers can find themselves in the unexpected company during treks through the ragged,…

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpineRead More

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

Have you ever wondered how far you could toss a firefighter’s gumboot? Maybe you’re curious…

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!Read More

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

The Gorge Waterway is one of Victoria’s most scenic and beloved places – a tidal…

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish SeaRead More

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science World

A brand new exhibit at Science World gives people the chance to dive into the…

Pro LEGO builder brings new space exhibit to life at Vancouver’s Science WorldRead More

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summer

McLean Mill National Historic Site in Port Alberni is expecting a lot of visitors this…

Port Alberni’s McLean Mill ready to welcome locals and tourists this summerRead More

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!

As dream destination, it doesn’t get much better than Western Canada – from wilderness escapes…

Celebrate Canada, Celebrate You: Brand new contest features $17,000+ in prizes!Read More

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehicles

Revelstoke’s scenic 26-kilometre parkway has opened all the way to the top for motor vehicles,…

Mount Revelstoke parkway opens to the summit for vehiclesRead More

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sights

The Great Canadian Trolley Company has officially arrived in Comox, launching its highly anticipated Hop…

Comox Trolley Tour debuts hop-on, hop-off tour of town’s sightsRead More

Previous Post: « West Coast Traveller Roadtrip: The road to Creston – stunning scenery + good friends on a new adventure
Next Post: Unique Tofino hike offers crash course in Second World War history »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

July 8, 2025

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

July 8, 2025

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

July 7, 2025

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Recent Posts

Tulalip casino expansion opens in Washington

July 8, 2025

Marvelling mountain marmots: Surprise company in B.C.’s subalpine

July 8, 2025

Ukee Days is coming – the BEST way to get to know Ucluelet!

July 7, 2025

Protecting paradise: Waterway cleanups support Victoria’s wildlife, beaches and the Salish Sea

July 4, 2025

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved